New Tax Regime FY 2026-27: Updated Slabs Explained
Budget 2026 reshaped the new tax regime into seven graduated brackets. This guide walks through every slab, the deductions you can and cannot claim, marginal relief, and step-by-step tax calculations at common salary levels.
Last updated: 2 February 2026, 5:00 PM IST
The new tax regime — governed by Section 115BAC of the Income Tax Act — has been the default for all taxpayers since FY 2023-24. Budget 2026 made it significantly more attractive by restructuring the slab rates into seven graduated brackets, increasing the Section 87A rebate threshold to ₹12 lakh, and retaining the ₹75,000 standard deduction. If you are deciding between regimes, our old vs new tax regime guide covers the crossover analysis in detail.
This article focuses exclusively on the new regime — every slab rate, the narrow list of deductions you can claim, how the Section 87A rebate and marginal relief work, surcharge brackets, and step-by-step calculations. Use the Tax Regime Comparator calculator to compute your exact tax liability under both regimes.
Data Sources
- Finance Bill 2026 — Parliament of India (1 Feb 2026) — www.indiabudget.gov.in
- Income Tax Act — Section 115BAC (New Regime) (FY 2026-27) — incometaxindia.gov.in
- CBDT Circular on Section 87A Rebate (Feb 2026) — www.cbdt.gov.in
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The Seven Slab Structure
The FY 2026-27 new regime divides taxable income into seven brackets. The nil slab extends to ₹4 lakh, and rates increase by 5 percentage points at each step up to 30%.
| Taxable Income | Rate | Tax in This Slab |
|---|---|---|
| ₹0 – ₹4L | Nil | ₹0 |
| ₹4L – ₹8L | 5% | ₹20,000 |
| ₹8L – ₹12L | 10% | ₹40,000 |
| ₹12L – ₹16L | 15% | ₹60,000 |
| ₹16L – ₹20L | 20% | ₹80,000 |
| ₹20L – ₹24L | 25% | ₹1,00,000 |
| Above ₹24L | 30% | Variable |
The cumulative tax at the top of each slab: ₹8L = ₹20,000; ₹12L = ₹60,000; ₹16L = ₹1,20,000; ₹20L = ₹2,00,000; ₹24L = ₹3,00,000. Every rupee above ₹24 lakh is taxed at 30%.
Deductions Available Under the New Regime
The new regime is designed to be low-rate, low-deduction. Only two deductions are available:
- Standard Deduction (₹75,000): Available to all salaried individuals and pensioners. Applied directly from gross salary to arrive at taxable income. No documentation required.
- Employer NPS Contribution — Section 80CCD(2): If your employer contributes to your NPS account, the contribution (up to 10% of basic + DA for private sector, 14% for government) is deductible from taxable income. This is separate from your own NPS contributions (which are NOT deductible under the new regime).
What You Cannot Claim
The following are explicitly NOT available under the new regime: Section 80C (PPF, ELSS, EPF employee share, life insurance, tuition fees), Section 80D (health insurance), Section 80CCD(1B) (self NPS contribution), HRA exemption under Section 10(13A), LTA, home loan interest under Section 24(b), and all other Chapter VI-A deductions.
Section 87A Rebate and Marginal Relief
How the Rebate Works
If your total taxable income (after standard deduction) is ₹12 lakh or less, the Section 87A rebate eliminates your entire tax liability. The computed tax of ₹60,000 (on ₹12 lakh) is fully waived. For salaried employees, gross salary of ₹12.75 lakh means taxable income of ₹12 lakh — zero tax.
Marginal Relief Above ₹12 Lakh
At ₹12,00,001 taxable income, you lose the full ₹60,000 rebate. Without marginal relief, your tax would jump from ₹0 to ₹60,000+. Marginal relief caps your tax so it does not exceed the amount by which your income exceeds ₹12 lakh. Example: at ₹12,50,000 taxable income, your tax is capped at ₹50,000 (the excess over ₹12L), not the computed ₹67,500.
Step-by-Step Tax Calculation: ₹18 Lakh Gross Salary
Let us walk through a complete calculation for a salaried employee earning ₹18 lakh gross salary with no employer NPS:
- Gross salary: ₹18,00,000
- Less standard deduction: ₹75,000
- Taxable income: ₹17,25,000
- Tax on 0-4L: ₹0
- Tax on 4-8L (₹4L at 5%): ₹20,000
- Tax on 8-12L (₹4L at 10%): ₹40,000
- Tax on 12-16L (₹4L at 15%): ₹60,000
- Tax on 16-17.25L (₹1.25L at 20%): ₹25,000
- Total tax: ₹1,45,000
- Add 4% health and education cess: ₹5,800
- Total tax payable: ₹1,50,800
Monthly TDS from salary: approximately ₹12,567. In-hand salary after tax: approximately ₹1,37,433 per month (before PF and other employer deductions).
Surcharge Brackets Under the New Regime
For high-income earners, a surcharge applies on the base income tax:
| Taxable Income | Surcharge Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹50 lakh | Nil |
| ₹50L – ₹1 Cr | 10% |
| ₹1 Cr – ₹2 Cr | 15% |
| Above ₹2 Cr | 25% (capped) |
The 25% surcharge cap under the new regime (vs 37% under the old regime for income above ₹5 crore) is a meaningful advantage for very high earners choosing the new regime.
Who Should Opt for the New Regime?
The new regime is generally better if:
- Your gross salary is ₹12.75 lakh or less (zero tax under new regime).
- Your total deductions under the old regime are less than ₹3.75-4.25 lakh.
- You do not pay rent in a metro or do not have a home loan.
- You prefer simplicity — no need to maintain investment proofs or documentation for deductions.
- Your income exceeds ₹5 crore — the 25% surcharge cap provides significant savings.
For a personalised comparison, use our Tax Regime Comparator. For a detailed breakdown of how the old regime compares, read the old vs new tax regime guide.
Founding Partner, Tykhe Ventures · Founder, Kompella Technologies
Founding Partner at Tykhe Ventures ($20M AUM, early-stage investing) and Founder of Kompella Technologies, which provides fractional CTO/CPO services to funded startups. NISM XIX-C certified. Built RupayWise because the financial tools available in India were either oversimplified or designed to sell you a product — not help you decide.
This guide is for informational and educational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, tax laws, interest rates, and financial regulations change frequently. Always verify current rates and rules with official government sources before making decisions. RupayWise (Kompella Tech Pvt. Ltd.) is not liable for any decisions made based on information provided on this site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What deductions can I claim under the new tax regime in FY 2026-27?
Only two deductions are allowed: (1) Standard deduction of ₹75,000 for salaried individuals and pensioners, and (2) Employer NPS contribution under Section 80CCD(2) — up to 10% of basic + DA for private sector, 14% for government employees. All other deductions (80C, 80D, HRA, LTA, home loan interest) are not available.
Is the new tax regime compulsory for FY 2026-27?
No, it is not compulsory — but it is the default. If you do not actively opt for the old regime by submitting Form 10-IEA to your employer, or by selecting it while filing your ITR, you will be taxed under the new regime. Salaried employees can switch between regimes every financial year.
How does the Section 87A rebate work under the new regime?
The Section 87A rebate waives your entire tax liability if your total taxable income is ₹12 lakh or less under the new regime. The computed tax on ₹12 lakh (₹60,000) is fully offset by the rebate. For salaried employees, the ₹75,000 standard deduction means gross salary up to ₹12.75 lakh results in zero tax.
What happens if my income is just above ₹12 lakh — do I lose the entire rebate?
Yes, the rebate is all-or-nothing. At ₹12,00,001 taxable income, you lose the full ₹60,000 rebate. However, marginal relief provisions ensure your net tax does not exceed the amount by which your income exceeds ₹12 lakh. So at ₹12,10,000, your tax would be capped at ₹10,000 (plus cess), not ₹60,400.
Do surcharges apply under the new tax regime?
Yes. Surcharge applies on base tax: 10% for income ₹50L-1Cr, 15% for ₹1Cr-2Cr, 25% for ₹2Cr-5Cr, and 25% above ₹5Cr. Notably, the new regime caps the maximum surcharge at 25%, whereas the old regime charges 37% for income above ₹5 crore.
Related Resources
Guides
- Tax Regime Guide — Complete comparison of Old vs New tax regime for FY 2025-26 with deduction analysis and calculator.
- Tax Slabs Explainer — Complete income tax slab explainer for FY 2025-26. Old vs new regime rates, surcharge brackets, rebate rules, and examples.
Disclaimer: This guide is based on the Finance Bill 2026 as presented on 1 February 2026. Provisions may change during parliamentary debate. This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Consult a qualified Chartered Accountant for your specific situation. We are not SEBI-registered advisors.